The Reconquista: Christian Kingdoms and the Iberian Peninsula

When the Muslims entered the Iberian Peninsula, it was fully occupied with the exception of the territories situated to the north in the Cantabrian Mountains. These remained under Christian rule. The Reconquista acquired great momentum and culminated in 1492 with the surrender of the last Moorish king, Boabdil of Granada, at the hands of the Catholic Monarchs.

Factors Contributing to the Reconquista

• Population Growth: Occurred in the Christian nuclei, largely due to the arrival of Mozarabs from the territories occupied by Muslims.
• New Military Tactics: Development and adoption of effective military strategies.
• Crusading Mentality: Christian monarchs considered themselves heirs to the Visigothic kings, with the right and duty to recover their former territories. This ideology gradually fostered the formation of different Christian kingdoms.

Major Christian Kingdoms

The Kingdom of Asturias-León

The core Christian kingdom of Asturias was headed by Don Pelayo, who circa 722 confronted and defeated the Muslims at the Battle of Covadonga. Alfonso I was the first king of Asturias. Later, in the 10th century, during the reign of Alfonso III, the kingdom extended to the Douro Valley and occupied zones like Galicia, Asturias, and León, becoming known as the Kingdom of León.

The Kingdom of Castile

Castile was a county belonging to the Kingdom of León. In the mid-10th century, the Castilian Count Fernán González managed to unify various territories and transmit the county to his offspring, achieving the independence of Castile. Castile was established as a kingdom in the 11th century under Count Fernando I. The definitive union of Castile and León occurred in 1038 and was solidified in 1230 with Fernando III.

The Kingdom of Navarre

This territory was under the influence of the Frankish realm until the 10th century, when a local family achieved independence and created a kingdom in Pamplona.

The Kingdom of Aragon

The territory of Aragon fell under the rule of Navarre until the 11th century. With Ramiro I, it became independent and began its expansion as a kingdom.

The Catalan Counties

The Catalan Counties were part of the Marca Hispánica until the 10th century. Count Wilfred the Hairy of Barcelona managed to dominate the rest of the Catalan counties and transmit his rule. By the 12th century, the County of Barcelona joined the Kingdom of Aragon.

The Kingdom of Portugal

The Kingdom of Portugal was a county belonging to the Kingdom of León. In the 12th century, Afonso Henriques proclaimed himself king.